Lost in spells and shadows

Chapter 67: James' Invitation, Stephan's Visit and a Start

Adelaide and her younger siblings had went to Elizabeth's house to go and see her and baby Audrey. There, Helena was playing with Audrey and Edmund was playing with his trucks. Adelaide was reading a letter written by James to her, as she frowned slightly.

"Sirius was adopted by Euphemia and Fleamont Potter and they are his legal guardians now. His family, luckily, hasn't tried to do anything about it. Though he was disowned by his family. His parents, especially Walburga, are raging since now they are the butt of the gossips in high society. He had healed completely, Helena." Adelaide said the last bit to her sister who was rocking the baby gently.

"That's good." That was all she said as she talked gently to Audrey.

"Narcissa told me how Bellatrix has lost her mind over the whole thing and she's fantasising of murdering Sirius and had even sought Orion and Walburga's blessing." Elizabeth said suddenly as she was knitting a blanket.

"What does Narcissa think about all this herself?" Adelaide asked.

"Well, those two were never really close. I mean, they tolerated each other but that's that. She hates the fact that their family is in the spotlight due to gossips over her cousin's disownment. A scandal, in her opinion."

"So she only thinks about how inconvenient and stupid the gossips are instead of thinking about the abuse that her family put her cousin through?"

"That is the Black family that we're talking about, not your average loving and supportive family." Elizabeth responded dryly.

"Perhaps all the intermarriage and incest has gotten to them after generations." Edmund said suddenly as all of them gasped and laughed at his comment.

"Ew, Eddie. But i suppose you're correct. After all, it can cause mental issues in the long run." Adelaide said as she snorted.

"The lengths that these people go through in order to keep their family line pure..." Helena muttered.

"Well, all that matters is that Sirius is safe and happy." Elizabeth concluded.

"Ah, by the way, James invited me to his house tomorrow. He has also invited Peter, Remus, Stephan, Frank, Alice, Mary, Marlene and... Lily? Wow, he is delusional but he said i could bring you too. Do you want to come?" Adelaide asked Helena who shook her head.

"No, thank you. I won't have anything to do there, so why bother?"

"Yeah, you're right." An owl came through the open window. It was huge and majestic with brown and cream feathers, who resembled Summer a bit, but wasn't Victoria's owl. It landed softly beside Helena as it hooted softly.

Adelaide took the letter from the owl and gave it some water and bread as she looked at the near cursive handwriting on the back of the envelope. To Helena.
"The letter's for you."

"I wasn't expecting any letter." Helena said as she but Audrey back in her crib, and stood up to take the letter. Adelaide watched her curiously as her sister opened up the letter and read it.

"So the letter was from whom?" Adelaide asked.

"From Barty."

"What?" Adelaide asked with surprise.

"You are friends with Bartemius Crouch's son? That's new." Elizabeth said with shock.

"No, i mean I hadn't received letters from him before. It's new to me too. And no, we aren't friends, he is just in my year."

"What did he say?" Edmund asked as he eyed the paper.

"Some questions about homework and he also... asked about my summer?" Helena was surprised but shrugged as she took a piece of paper to reply to him.